Access to MH Platinum Lounge at KLIA

[ozboy01]

Hi

On an upcoming trip I arrive at KLIA on a SYD - KUL J seat flight at 3:50AM.

I then have an Air Asia X flight from KUL - SGN Y seat that takes off at 09:10AM.

I am QF P (OWE).

Am I able to utilise the MH Platinum lounge for a few hours after clearing customs and retrieving my hold bag before checking in at Air Asia X (from 6:10am) and then returning to the MH lounge until I need to board my SGN flight?

Many thanks for any thoughts/suggestions.

 

[ThePW]

No, there is no on-arrival access. When you clear customs and get your hold bag, you won't be able to re-enter the KLIA terminal airside where the lounge is. You'll need to make your way to KLIA2 – a separate terminal on the other side of the airfield – and check-in for AirAsiaX there.

You may want to access a pay-per-use lounge landside at KLIA2 which should be open from 4am.

 

[ozboy01]

No, there is no on-arrival access. When you clear customs and get your hold bag, you won't be able to re-enter the KLIA terminal airside where the lounge is. You'll need to make your way to KLIA2 – a separate terminal on the other side of the airfield – and check-in for AirAsiaX there.

You may want to access a pay-per-use lounge landside at KLIA2 which should be open from 4am.

Thanks for the super quick reply.

Once I have checked in with Air Asia X and cleared security I can access the MH Platinum lounge with my OWE status?

If not, any suggestions re a pleasant landside places to chill till say 7:30 am ie. about 3 hours retrieving my hold bag to subsequent check in?

 

[ThePW]

Thanks for the super quick reply.

Once I have checked in with Air Asia X and cleared security I can access the MH Platinum lounge with my OWE status?

If not, any suggestions re a pleasant landside places to chill till say 7:30 am ie. about 3 hours retrieving my hold bag to subsequent check in?

Unfortunately, that's still a no. AirAsia flights depart from a completely separate terminal to the one you arrive on with Malaysia Airlines. There is no physical way to get to the MH lounge once you've cleared security for the AirAsia X flight. Even if there was, the lounge would not let you in on an AirAsia ticket.

You'd probably be best off at the Aerotel KLIA2 (transit hotel) or the Plaza Premium lounge next door. You can get a private solo bedroom at the Aerotel for around $45 for 3 hours (at least on the date I checked), to nap and refresh.

https://www.myaerotel.com/en-uk?_ga=2.267757198.1666888716.1684197205-2065783340.1684197205

Plaza Premium Lounge (Next to Aerotel Kuala Lumpur, gateway@klia2, KLIA Terminal 2)

Your airport moment, in a class of its own. Plaza Premium Lounge is the world's largest award-winning independent lounge network, open to all travellers.

www.plazapremiumlounge.com

 

[dairyfloss]

Hi

On an upcoming trip I arrive at KLIA on a SYD - KUL J seat flight at 3:50AM.

I then have an Air Asia X flight from KUL - SGN Y seat that takes off at 09:10AM.

I am QF P (OWE).

Am I able to utilise the MH Platinum lounge for a few hours after clearing customs and retrieving my hold bag before checking in at Air Asia X (from 6:10am) and then returning to the MH lounge until I need to board my SGN flight?

Many thanks for any thoughts/suggestions.

No, there is no on-arrival access. When you clear customs and get your hold bag, you won't be able to re-enter the KLIA terminal airside where the lounge is. You'll need to make your way to KLIA2 – a separate terminal on the other side of the airfield – and check-in for AirAsiaX there.

You may want to access a pay-per-use lounge landside at KLIA2 which should be open from 4am.

There is actually on-arrivals access at the MH Golden Lounge in KLIA, presuming you are arriving on an MH flight (you didn't indicate) in J or have MH Gold or Platinum status (I believe any OWS or OWE also works; though I've only ever tried when flying in on J - used arrivals access for a freshen up).

Your biggest challenge might be the luggage. I wouldn't trust it not to go missing if you don't pick it up wthin a reasonable timeframe. If you can organise yourself to travel with hand luggage only, at least as far as KUL, then that would be better, as you could then take the bag into the lounge and sit it out until you need to get across to KLIA2.

This might help with confirmation of the little published option, though sitting in a rather obscure spot:
FAQ

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[ThePW]

There is actually on-arrivals access at the MH Golden Lounge in KLIA, presuming you are arriving on an MH flight (you didn't indicate) in J or have MH Gold or Platinum status (I believe any OWS or OWE also works; though I've only ever tried when flying in on J - used arrivals access for a freshen up).

Your biggest challenge might be the luggage. I wouldn't trust it not to go missing if you don't pick it up wthin a reasonable timeframe. If you can organise yourself to travel with hand luggage only, at least as far as KUL, then that would be better, as you could then take the bag into the lounge and sit it out until you need to get across to KLIA2.

This might help with confirmation of the little published option, though sitting in a rather obscure spot:
FAQ

Cheers,
Matt.

Ooh I stand corrected. Good to know!

 

[Guvner]

Last time I checked the inter-terminal train was no longer in service, and the replacement bus service is a bun fight apparently, so don’t wait until last minute before heading over to the other terminal.

 

[ThePW]

Last time I checked the inter-terminal train was no longer in service, and the replacement bus service is a bun fight apparently, so don’t wait until last minute before heading over to the other terminal.

I was at KLIA last weekend. Yes, the transfer train (Aerotrain) between the satellite pier (C-gates) and the main contact pier is still down, so passengers need to catch a bus.

Immigration, luggage pick-up and customs are done at the main contact pier. As most MH international flights land at the satellite pier, I'd also suggest ozboy01 doesn't dawdle too long at the lounge.

From there, they can catch the KLIA Express train to KLIA2 which takes a few minutes and costs RM2.

 

[ozboy01]

There is actually on-arrivals access at the MH Golden Lounge in KLIA, presuming you are arriving on an MH flight (you didn't indicate) in J or have MH Gold or Platinum status (I believe any OWS or OWE also works; though I've only ever tried when flying in on J - used arrivals access for a freshen up).

Your biggest challenge might be the luggage. I wouldn't trust it not to go missing if you don't pick it up wthin a reasonable timeframe. If you can organise yourself to travel with hand luggage only, at least as far as KUL, then that would be better, as you could then take the bag into the lounge and sit it out until you need to get across to KLIA2.

This might help with confirmation of the little published option, though sitting in a rather obscure spot:
FAQ

Cheers,
Matt.

Hi Matt

Thanks for your reply.

Apologies, I forgot to mention my incoming flight is MH metal in J on QF classic rewards redemption.

Like yourself I would be too anxious about my hold bag to leave it for any extended period on a luggage carousel. These flights are the start of a 4 week trip, so for me hand luggage only is not an option.

Kind Regards

Geoff

 

[dairyfloss]

Hi Matt

Thanks for your reply.

Apologies, I forgot to mention my incoming flight is MH metal in J on QF classic rewards redemption.

Like yourself I would be too anxious about my hold bag to leave it for any extended period on a luggage carousel. These flights are the start of a 4 week trip, so for me hand luggage only is not an option.

Kind Regards

Geoff

OK - yes, I wouldn't take the chance for much longer than it takes to freshen up, if you need that after the inbound flight. Make your way across to KLIA2 and find a nice cafe or pay-per-use lounge, if you see value in that. If you have a Priority Pass membership, there is also some options from that, both landside and airside.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[kpc]

I was at KLIA last weekend. Yes, the transfer train (Aerotrain) between the satellite pier (C-gates) and the main contact pier is still down, so passengers need to catch a bus.

Immigration, luggage pick-up and customs are done at the main contact pier. As most MH international flights land at the satellite pier, I'd also suggest ozboy01 doesn't dawdle too long at the lounge.

From there, they can catch the KLIA Express train to KLIA2 which takes a few minutes and costs RM2.

Last time I checked the inter-terminal train was no longer in service, and the replacement bus service is a bun fight apparently, so don’t wait until last minute before heading over to the other terminal.

What a pain! Hope they can fix it before my trip to Kul mid next month but i won't hold my breath!

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/887192/klia-aerotrain-breakdowns-have-tarnished-malaysias-image-says-loke-nsttv

 

[Austman]

The aerotrain might not be back until 2025.

But the buses are now well established.

It's a fair hike to get to where the busses depart from the Satellite building (unless you are lucky with your arrival gate). It's right down the end of a wing near the C5/C6 gates . It's much easier in the other direction from the Main building.

 

[kpc]

The aerotrain might not be back until 2025.

That does not surprise me!

 

[moa999]

Looks like they are doing a complete replacement

KLIA Aerotrains To Be Replaced After 23 Years Of Service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) KLIA Terminal | Airports by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad

Sepang – Malaysia Airports has embarked on the replacement exercise of its Automated People Mover (APM), also known as the Aerotrain system. The current Aerotrains have been in service shuttling more than 300 million passengers between the satellite and main terminal buildings since the airport...

airports.malaysiaairports.com.my

Reminds me of the KL monorail which was shut for a few years after disputes about replacements.

 

[Foreigner]

With three hours between incoming (from SYD) and domestic departure, both in KUL T1, which lounges are available for QF platinum tier?

On return, is 90 minutes enough time between domestic arrival in KUL and international departure in accessing MH platinum lounge?

 

[Austman]

With three hours between incoming (from SYD) and domestic departure, both in KUL T1, which lounges are available for QF platinum tier?

On return, is 90 minutes enough time between domestic arrival in KUL and international departure in accessing MH platinum lounge?

AFIAK all of the MH ones. International and domestic if you have a valid forward Boarding Pass. I've done it in the past. That's if you don't have checked luggage to collect. For MHi to MHd I think it goes straight through (not need to collect).

You do need to allow time to get to the Main terminal and go through INT to DOM passport control. But there's a separate pathway to take for that.

 

[Captain Halliday]

With three hours between incoming (from SYD) and domestic departure, both in KUL T1, which lounges are available for QF platinum tier?

On return, is 90 minutes enough time between domestic arrival in KUL and international departure in accessing MH platinum lounge?

On your second question.

You can get there and back, but too tight to take advantage of the a la carte dining IMO.

Remember you have to factor in security screening at the gate to access the holding pen.

We had a three hour layover and managed the terminal change, three courses, a whirlwind VIP tour*, second terminal transfer had just 20 mins until boarding.

*Pics and explanation of tour here.

 

[Austman]

You can get there and back, but too tight to take advantage of the a la carte dining IMO.

Remember you have to factor in security screening at the gate to access the holding pen.

From SYD, the flight will almost certainly arrive at the Satellite. There you have 2 x MH international lounges - "first" and business.

Then airside over to the Main is the other MH international lounge - business.

At the Main, find the domestic connections transfer path (it's passport control, some screening and it's quick!) and you'll then be in domestic departures with access to the MH domestic lounge.

There is no further screening at the gate on MH domestic flights. And LAGS are even allowed.

 

[Foreigner]

Thanks CH and Austman for the valuable info. I’d liked to have travelled with carry on luggage only but I will have checked luggage through to PEN.

I guess if the MHi on return is delayed then there’s going to be more time for the platinum lounge which I’ve used once before. On the other hand, it PEN-KUL is delayed then MH would need to review my onward booking, unless they hold back the MHi flight.